DUNEDIN FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10756, 30 April 1913, Page 3

DUNEDIN FOOTBALL.

[From: Ocr Corhhsi-oxt^vt.] Much that was forecast in last week's notes duly cvcntuatH this wk, The Otago Rugby Union appointed its selection committee tor the season, consisting of Messrs Cavanagh. Sinclair and Stuart. Six nominations were received—Messrs Sinclair, Cavanagh, Stuart and Dunne, of the Ilughy I'uion. and Knig. of the A!hambra, and M*ken;*.ie. of the Union Club. Tt was yencraily believed fh,:f Messrs Cavanagli. Sinclair and would bo eleeu'd. and so it prove-], !n----t'.:o way, bef-oro J .h«' ballot A'r (Iwys '.! i:om-;ni!, ; n;r w> hi; o-oos. pit the qu f v;tion ;o il.e chair. " I>;> any of the rrcatiom-.Ni notisiiu-.'.el tv I.)

coach clubs during tho season?" Being answered in the negative, tho old 'Varsity footballer sat buck with .1 sniilo of satisfaction.

Wo regard the selection as satisfactory from a. personal view-point. AJossrs Stuart. Cavanagh ami Sinclair a-ro old campaigners; they have carried tho Otago flag on foreign fields with credit; they know tho game and its requirements, and aro good judges of a. footbailor. Tho throe-selector system, however, to my thinking, is second only to the sold ielector, but the delegates have declared in favour of tho three selectors. In addition to tho election of the Selection Committee, tho Ctago Union, at its last mooting, apj>oijjtexl referees to sit on tho Referee*' Appointment Board, but thereby hangp a tale. Tho Otago Rugby Football Association practically lathered tho Appointment Board 6chemo, but when it came to t-lw election of representatives, not a single member rushed tho office, and thero was considerable baulking when names were proposed. Eventually Messrs Sandos and Dunno consented to act, but tho position was not as satisfactory as might have been expected. The Appointment Board is on a season's trial, and if its functions aro not properly executed thero will bo a burial before tho season expires. Alex. M'Douald, the well-known All Black, Ims decided to play again this season—this despite numerous threats of retirement —and will again lead tho Kaikorai first fifteen. The All Black is (still showing good form, and it will bo surprising to know that lie is playing better than last season, when the cares of a new business " weighed heavily on his shoulders" (■''Mac" is a coal merchant) ; but such is the case. He is entering the game with renewed rigour. A namesake who threatens to turn out as good a. forward as tho All Black is H. i!' Donald, of the Taieri Rovers' team, who has joined Kaikorai this season. The presence of the two "Maes" in the pack, backed up by the pick of last year's players, will make the Kaikorai forwards something to ponder on. There may bo safer places in the field this season than in Che front of the Kaikorai' forward rush!

A tliree-quarter-back named Osborn is expected _ to prove a "discovery" for Kaikorai this season. He is to make his debut for the Blue and Blacks against last year's premiers (Southern) this afternoon.

Young Higgins, the Opoho and Otago representative cricketer, has come out as a footballer and has been found a place on the wing of the Southern three-quarter line. He will get a thorough try-ouc against Kaikorai today. Is it a fact that Casey and M'Donald, of Otago, are the only two members of the All Black team playing tho game? Both these players have threatened retirement, but they are still going strong. By the way, it is not uninteresting to know that they are captains of their respective teams, Casey of Southern and M'Donald of Kaikorai. The disba.nding of the Taieri Rovers Club has released Scott, tho Otago representative full-back, who has now joined Kaikorai. Scott is the best fullback the province has turned out sinco Thomas played against . the EnglisV* team of 1888.

The rumour referred to in last week's notes that the Taieri Rovers Club threatened t-o cease operations has proved only too well founded. At Monady night's meeting the Otago Rugby Union Committee was advised officially of the fact that the club had practically ceased to exist. No teams of any grade have been entered for the Flag competitions, and the players, where they have not gone over to other clubs, have retired from Rugby altogether. This state of affairs is to be regretted, but it is better that the club disband than struggle along as it has been doing for a season or two pastHad it been possible for Taieri Rovers to have kept together and entered a Junior team matters would not have been so bad, but even a Junior team is impossible, and the club has gone out of existence, this sason at any rate. Meanwhile the disbanding of the Taieri Rovers creates a bye in the Flag competitions—not altogether an unmixed blessing if the teams turn the bye to good account by practising or watching the other teams, and learning the infinite possibilities of the game. The question of reducing the Senior teams by two. as was suggested last season, may yet be solved automatically.

The decision of tho New South "Wales Union to ask Now Zen land to join in tlie invitation to a British team in 1915 and a South African team in 1916 has something to commend it: but I fear until the International Board thoroughly understands New Zealand, the New Zealand Union is unlikely to invite another British team here. Before that invitation is extended the New Zealand governing; body will want to know the real reason why New Zealand was passed over in favour of South Africa, and when an invitation for another New Zealand team to visit England may be expected. I understand the New Zealand Union has in its possession certain correspondence which throws direct light on the reason whv South Africa was preferred to New Zealand. The delegates attend™e: the annual meeting of the parent body next month midht ask that the correspondence referred to be read. If this is done, some interesting information may be revealed.